-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TEUN1JWSTVDSFwuQTwm5xpuC/xnOCS0IQyuNdbtKwPODZFcf7Bl1d7lbEZIN6aDv n3ffAZNAPLRo8tSiAkDg7g== 0001305014-06-000016.txt : 20060106 0001305014-06-000016.hdr.sgml : 20060106 20060106120249 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001305014-06-000016 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060106 ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060106 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060106 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASHLAND INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001305014 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160] IRS NUMBER: 200865835 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KY FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32532 FILM NUMBER: 06515582 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR CITY: COVINGTON STATE: KY ZIP: 41012 BUSINESS PHONE: 859-815-3483 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR CITY: COVINGTON STATE: KY ZIP: 41012 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: New EXM Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20041004 8-K 1 form8k.txt FORM 8-K JANUARY 6, 2006 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 6, 2006 ASHLAND INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Kentucky (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-32532 20-0865835 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391 (Mailing Address) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 2230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On January 6, 2006, Ashland Inc. ("Ashland") announced that earnings for its fiscal first quarter, ended December 31, 2005, are expected to be higher than analyst estimates, which currently range from $0.41 to $0.71 per share. Strong performances by the Ashland Paving And Construction, Inc. (APAC), Ashland Distribution and Ashland Specialty Chemical businesses are expected to drive the quarter's results. Ashland plans to report preliminary results for its fiscal first quarter at 8 a.m., EST, on January 25, 2006, and follow with a conference call and webcast at 10:00 a.m., EST. Ashland's earnings expectations and related matters are discussed in more detail in the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits 99.1 Press Release dated January 6, 2006. -2- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. ASHLAND INC. ------------------------------------------- (Registrant) Date: January 6, 2006 /s/ J. Marvin Quin -------------------------------------------- Name: J. Marvin Quin Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer -3- EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Press Release dated January 6, 2006. -4- EX-99 2 ex99-1.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 News Release [GRAPHIC OMITTED] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Media Relations: Investor Relations: Jim Vitak Daragh Porter (614) 790-3715 (859) 815-3825 jevitak@ashland.com dlporter@ashland.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2006 ASHLAND INC. EXPECTS STRONG RESULTS FOR FISCAL FIRST QUARTER COVINGTON, Ky. -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH) announced today that earnings for its fiscal first quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2005, are expected to be higher than analyst estimates, which currently range from $0.41 to $0.71 per share. Strong performances by the Ashland Paving And Construction, Inc. (APAC), Ashland Distribution and Ashland Specialty Chemical businesses are expected to drive the quarter's results. In Ashland's Transportation Construction Sector, APAC is expected to report much stronger earnings as a result of improved profit margins, in spite of losses on hedges of diesel fuel purchases. In addition, APAC is expected to record a gain of $10 million on the transfer of a shop/office facility that was subject to eminent domain. In the Chemical Sector, Ashland Distribution and Ashland Specialty Chemical continue to report excellent profit growth, which will more than offset a very weak performance from Valvoline. Beginning with the December quarter, Ashland will allocate substantially all corporate expenses to Ashland's four operating divisions, with the exception of certain legacy costs or items clearly not associated with the operating divisions. Results for previously reported periods will be reclassified to conform with the new allocation methodology. Ashland will report preliminary results for its fiscal first quarter at 8 a.m., EST, on Jan. 25 and will follow with a conference call and webcast at 10 a.m., EST. Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 chemical and transportation construction company providing products, services and customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com. -0- - more - Ashland Inc. o Covington, Ky. o 41012-0391 o (859)-3333 o www.ashland.com Ashland Inc. expects strong results for fiscal first quarter, pg. 2 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to Ashland's operating performance. These estimates are based upon a number of assumptions, including those mentioned within this news release. Such estimates are also based upon internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, weather, operating efficiencies and economic conditions, such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Although Ashland believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. This forward-looking information may prove to be inaccurate and actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated if one or more of the underlying assumptions or expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized or if other unexpected conditions or events occur. Other factors and risks affecting Ashland are contained in Ashland's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2005. Ashland undertakes no obligation to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----